**DOMINIC**

He thought it over carefully before making a decision. Trusting a stranger wasn’t easy for him, but his sister was right. She would be getting married soon, and someone needed to take her place. As strange as it seemed, that young woman, despite everything, appeared to be a promising option.

With a restrained gesture, he signaled to Rayan to bring Aileen back up to the office. He would speak with her, although she was probably still upset about what had happened—and about the way he had treated her.

"You asked to see me, sir?" Aileen said as she entered, her gaze defiant but curious.

"Yes, have a seat." Dominic’s voice was firm, almost distant.

"What for?" she asked immediately.

"Sit down," he repeated, his tone harsher this time.

"Why?" she pressed, stubborn as ever.

"Could you please sit down without asking so many questions?"

"Alright, sir," she finally replied, holding on to what little patience she had left.

Dominic let out a quiet, nearly inaudible sigh before speaking.

"My sister has spoken on your behalf. She says I should give you a chance."

"Will you?" Aileen asked, her face lighting up with hope.

"Should I?" he replied, eyeing her cautiously.

"Of course you should!" she exclaimed with conviction.

"Why?"

"Because I love this job, sir. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to achieving my dream."

"Dream?" he repeated, as if the word were unfamiliar.

"Yes. I’ve always wanted to be a designer, and working here lets me be close to the fashion world." Her voice trembled slightly, but the passion in her words was undeniable.

Dominic looked at her in silence for a moment, weighing his options.

"My sister is getting married in a few months, and I’ll need an assistant. You’re on probation for three months."

"I’ll be your assistant?" she asked in disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

"You’ll be on probation for three months. If you pass, the job is yours."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

He didn’t wait for her to finish reacting. Aileen had already thrown her arms around him in a burst of emotion that completely caught him off guard. It was the first time in many years that someone other than his sister dared to come that close. There was something genuine in her display of joy—something almost childlike. To him, it felt like watching a little girl receive her most longed-for gift.

Before he could react, he felt the warm touch of a kiss on his cheek—a spontaneous gesture that left him frozen in place.

"I’m sorry, sir," she apologized quickly, embarrassed by her boldness. "I tend to be a little too expressive, but I promise it won’t happen again. You won’t regret this decision—I swear."

**DOMINIC**

He studied her carefully, like someone trying to solve a riddle. His eyes searched hers for something he never found in others: authenticity. He had learned to ignore the curious glances, the whispers behind his back, the fingers pointing at him as if he were some kind of freak. But this young woman looked at him differently. There was no pity or morbid curiosity in her gaze—only a warmth that completely disarmed him, as if she could see beyond the mask.

"I want you here at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Let me warn you now—you’ll have to get used to my pace and to working under pressure."

"Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" she replied with a smile, playfully imitating him like a soldier.

"Good. You may go. I’ll see you tomorrow."

**AILEEN**

She left the office holding back a scream of joy, but her steps gave her away—she was practically skipping. She could hardly believe it. She had gone from being fired to becoming the boss’s assistant. And maybe—just maybe—this was the first step toward her dream.

Aileen had always wanted to be a designer, but life seemed determined to throw obstacles in her way. Now, however, she had an opportunity—small but bright—and she was determined to make the most of it. Perhaps Dominic, without realizing it, had given her much more than a job: he had given her hope back.